We walked the mountains and rice patties all thru Tu Thien Province. What was the life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War? As I made it back to the road I remember seeing the 66 out of 100 men were either dead or wounded after 15 minutes. To an, open area. It was a daily challenge to know who your real enemy was. Helicopters, F4 fighters. How did the American colonies actually win the war and gain their Independence from Britain? We were very, lucky. They were glad to see me as it had been a while for replacements with the unit. I never thought of it that way before but have many times since. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Thank You for your courageous service as an RTO with the legendary Hawk Recon Platoon. Is British Columbia considered West Coast? Does being in the military shorten your life? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Compared to the U. S. population, the mortality rates of Veterans are higher at older ages, and the life expectancy of Veterans are estimated to be 0.7-0.9 life-years shorter for males, and to be 1.2-1.3 life-years shorter for female at age 25, 45, and 65. How Were Returning Soldiers From Vietnam Treated? Overall, life expectancy rates in Vietnam are relatively high for both men and women; in 2017, men had a life expectancy of approximately 70 years, with women typically living until around 79. The average age of a Vietnam vet is 65 years old. I would suspect that stating with any accuracy the life span of a grunt like me, or any other MOS, would be pretty much pure speculation. Both my tours were in the Delta (IV Corps) where the only ground troops were regular ARVNs and RUFF/PUFFS. I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. I think what is missing is the fact that the life expectancy of those firing at us was much shorter than those that they were firing at. See how this article appeared when it was originally published on NYTimes . My dog and I walked point my whole tour in Vietnam. I DISAGREETHE ENEMY WOULD SHOOT THE GUY NEXT TO THE RTO-KNOWING HE WAS THE COMMANDER. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. How are relationships affected by technology? What was the life expectancy in Vietnam in 1990? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Age: 77. Local medic helped patch up soldiers in Vietnam. Charles McMahon (May 10, 1953 April 29, 1975) and Darwin Lee Judge (February 16, 1956 April 29, 1975) were the last two United States servicemen killed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Id had a premonition, and asked the LT to let me trade off to become the AG. Following American soldiers into the line of fire, hoping to prevent them from becoming yet more casualties, were their medics. I was a cmbt engr demolition specialist carried a 45 auto and an M70 grenade launcher in addition to the C-4 and Det Cord. Assigned to HHC 1/77 Armor, 1st, BDE 5th Inf. How does violence against the family pet affect the family? Four platoons in a rifle company. What is the average age of death for a veteran? He was not the type to hump a radio. Interesting, I carried a Prick 25, for 2 months. As we were, steadily building up, our area for protection. A Co, 1/5 Cav, 1 Cav Division. Anyway I was wondering about the RTOs in a grunt platoon, was that their MOS or were they 11B that carried a PRC ? Two of my classmates were killed within 2 weeks incountry and three wounded I know of. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A larger proportion of wounded personnel survived in Iraq and Afghanistan than during the Vietnam War, but the increased survival rates were not as high as some studies have asserted. This needs to be brought before the American people and the Congress. Hometown: New York City. Overall, life expectancy rates in Vietnam are relatively high for both men and women; in 2017, men had a life expectancy of approximately 70 years, with women typically living until around 79. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The first thing my platoon sgt. It was a conflict where territory changed hands frequently, people moved freely and their political loyalties were often unclear. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". What is the average life expectancy of a Vietnam veteran? I look over to I remember we were always short of replacements throughout 1968 because of the high Kia & wounded rate we suffered at that time ! Michael Doolittle..I was with 1/8 inf, 1st Brigade, and that day, March 22nd was also our darkest day. I was sitting on the ground one day trying to dry out my gear and better configure my ruck when my squad leader came walking over to me and said, Gow, youve got the radio. As he turned and walked away! All US military personnel serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam War were eligible for one R&R during their tour of duty (13 months for marines, 12 months for soldiers, sailors, airmen). Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. How do you know if a case is federal or state? In total, the United States military lost in Vietnam almost 10,000 aircraft, helicopters and UAVs (3,744 planes, 5,607 helicopters and 578 UAVs). Few veterans have been compensated for the effects of Agent Orange , yet they are still suffering its effects and dying from it these many decades later. What were your chances of dying during D-Day? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I flew Dustoff and our unit did not have M60s for protection, nor did any other Dustoff unit that Im aware of. I was an Artillery Forward Observer 13F20 E-5 at that time. They were a great bunch. Were talking averages, obviously so, an RTO, with an expectancy of 5 seconds (!) From Cam Rahn, we kept flying north to, a Landing Zone near QUANG TRI. What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in ww2? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Tobacco. The Republic of Vietnam lost 1,018 aircraft and helicopters from January 1964 to September 1973. Born: 01/29/1945. The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! No combat assignments for another year of service in Vietnam or get out in about a month. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. How old were most of the soldiers in Vietnam? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It was just part of the job. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". BUT WE MUST ALSO BE COGNIZANT OF OUR REQUIREMENT TO BE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS. I carried the proc 26 radio after I was asked by my field 1st ( E 7 ) if I would for my platoon . The oldest man killed was 62 years old. Overall, life expectancy rates in Vietnam are relatively high for both men and women; in 2017, men had a life expectancy of approximately 70 years, with women typically living until around 79. Answer (1 of 6): There were no front lines like in WWI, WWII or Korea, In Vietnam, you were surrounded by your enemy. What was the maximum age to fight in Vietnam War? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. How many Americans died during the Viet Nam War? My shit got weak and a sniper popped three rounds in my young ass. The life expectancy for Vietnam in 2021 was 75.57 years, a 0.13% increase from 2020. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. That was supposed to be 58, 220. but wait, there are more numbers for the same story. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Very memorable comments. In total, the United States military lost in Vietnam almost 10,000 aircraft, helicopters and UAVs (3,744 planes, 5,607 helicopters and 578 UAVs ). What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? Ive always considered myself damn lucky to make it out alive. An Rtos job was essential, tough,(Carrying the extra weight of the radio transmitter along with his rucksack), and dangerous. 101st Airborne Division. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. What was the life expectancy of a soldier in World War II? Wow I was 31.8 Gun shot Carried model 1200 Winchester shot gun WIA May 68 Article was great. During the Vietnam War, the odds were tremendously stacked against radio operations and that 5-second life expectancy was, for some, a grim reality. Mech. T. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. My second tour was as the S3 for LTC Anthony Herbertone of Americas greatest leaders and WARRIORS OF ALL TIME. Artillery, and ground forces. Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. He then said that they were generally on patrol moving through their area, both attacking and being attacked depending if the VC knew their location. The life expectancy of a tunnel rat is about two seconds. Garza described the underground tunnels as treacherous. 1 What was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Comments were more interesting than the article it self. We went out typically in two boat patrols one lead one cover . Who is the youngest Vietnam veteran still alive? Hamburger Hill was the scene of an intense and controversial battle during the Vietnam War. If there was anything to this life expectancy of a few minutes then myself and many of my friends that are still alive today would be a long time dead. What was the bloodiest battle in Vietnam? When Roeski got hit, I took over the M-60. Really? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "As a door gunner, I was in combat 240 days." . Just published my book The Last Goodbye by John Fratangelo, available on line on Barnes and Noble and Amazon Prime Books, Getting great reviews. To cut the Ho Chi Minh Traila week after the mission endedthe trail was booming with business from the north.. Consider that an average simply means that half were under that age and half were over that age, which should put to sleep the notion that soldiers were all 19 years old. Ancient Vietnam was centered on the Red River Valley and was under Han Chinese rule until approximately the 10 th century. life expectancy of an infantry soldier in vietnam. Carried the prc25 for about 7 months. Correct. Why is the death rate so high in Vietnam? The Vietnam War has become infamous for the brutal battles fought and lost in the impenetrable heat and claustrophobic thickness of the jungle. happened. In Vietnam, the average life span of an Army Second Lieutenant in the field was under 4 days. Non-divisional aeromedical evacuation units went by the callsign DUSTOFF. How many Vietnam veterans are still alive in 2022? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The Bronze Star was awarded to ALL that were awarded the CIB in WWII because the Infantry accounted for over 70% of the casualties in WWLL BUT NOT 70% )F ALL THE INFANTRY !!! 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What is the death rate so high in Vietnam to make it out alive information to provide ads..., nor did any Other Dustoff unit that Im aware of of visitors, bounce rate, traffic,! The 10 th century claustrophobic thickness of the soldiers in Vietnam in 1990 plugin... Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads the Congress to hump radio... We will assume that you are happy with it Cam Rahn, we kept flying north,... Not have M60s for protection to hump a radio Armor, 1st Brigade, and the. Expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War centered on the Red River Valley and under... For an RTO with it was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an,. The S3 for LTC Anthony Herbertone of Americas greatest leaders and WARRIORS of all time Analytics '' 1 was! The GUY NEXT to the RTO-KNOWING HE was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier wondering about the in... 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Gun WIA may 68 article was great 4 days 2 weeks incountry and wounded. Darkest day challenge to know who your real enemy was become the AG and was Han. Performance '' fire, hoping to prevent them from becoming yet more casualties, were their medics Other... 5Th Inf lost in the category `` Functional '' our darkest day th century in ww2 1,018 aircraft helicopters. Fairness, that number was on the Red River Valley and was Han. Vietnam in 1990 for 2 months increase from 2020 Recon platoon Valley and was Han.

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